The legal cannabis industry exploded in 2018, pushing its way further into the cultural and financial mainstream in the U.S. and beyond. The Associated Press takes a look at some of the highlights. (Dec. 27)
AP

In what is expected to be the first of many bills related to marijuana proposed this year, three new measures were introduced Tuesday.

Sen. Sara Kyle, D-Memphis, and Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, introduced a bill that would allow a Tennessean with a valid medical marijuana "identification" card issued in another state to carry a small amount of the drug in the Volunteer State.

The measure, SB 260/HB 234, would let Tennesseans have up to a half-ounce of marijuana, so long as they had an identification card from another state.

Thirty-three states and the District of Columbia have legalized some form of marijuana. Several require residents to obtain cards prior to purchasing marijuana.

Buy Photo

State Sen. Sara Kyle, D-Memphis, has introduced several marijuana bills in the Tennessee General Assembly, and more are expected to be filed by next week's deadline.(Photo11: Larry McCormack / The Tennessean)

In addition to SB 260, Kyle introduced two other bills on Tuesday. One, SB 256, would decriminalize the possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. Johnson is the House sponsor of the bill.

Another, SB 257, would change the definition of marijuana for tax purposes to fall in line with how it is defined in the criminal code. Kyle is the only sponsor of that measure, as of publication. Matt Anderson, a spokesman for Senate Democrats, said Wednesday the measure is a caption bill, a frequently used type of legislation that allows the sponsor to change its purpose at a later date.

The trio of bills are the first in what is expected to be a slew of measures introduced this year pertaining to cannabis.

Although two Democrats were behind the newest legislation filed, Republicans are expected to join the fray in the coming days.

Sen. Janice Bowling, R-Tullahoma, and Rep. Ron Travis, R-Dayton, have said they plan on introducing a bill that would create a new government commission to regulate the marijuana industry.